Needles, CA: Summary and voting results from the Needles Board of Public Utilities Meeting.

Needles, CA: Summary and voting results from the Needles Board of Public Utilities Meeting.

A Needles Board of Public Utilities Meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 21st, 2017 inside the Needles City Council Chambers in Needles, California.

** Here is a summary and the voting results that occurred during the meeting: **

**** Public Appearances: ****

** Video from ZachNews on YouTube: **

Questions were raised by Ruth Musser-Lopez to members of the Needles Board of Public Utilities regarding the situation where there was alleged loss marijuana cannabis crop harvest and as a result non-payment.

At the end of Ruth Musser-Lopez’ comments, Needles Board of Public Utilities Member Terry Campbell spoke briefly on her comments and told her that the questions raised are really for the Needles Public Utility Authority, not the Needles Board of Public Utilities because, “we have no jurisdiction over loss crops at medical marijuana growth facilities; it’s not our jurisdiction – it has nothing to do with us. And our understanding is the utility bills are still being paid. You need to bring this up to the N.P.U.A. (Needles Public Utility Authority) at a council meeting. But thank you for your concerns, but it’s really not our jurisdictional area.”

The loss harvest issue was brought up during the Needles Board of Public Utilities Meeting held on Tuesday, March 7th, 2017 which the meeting was recorded by ZachNews and posted onto ZachNews on YouTube.

**** Consent Calendar: ****

** Video from ZachNews on YouTube: **

All matters listed on the Consent Calendar are considered to be routine and will be enacted by one motion in the form listed. The Chairman or any Member of the Board may pull an item from the Consent Calendar for discussion. Prior to Board action, a member of the public may address the Board on matters scheduled on the Consent Calendar. A 3 minute time limit per person applies. Recommended Action: Approve Items #1 through #2 on the Consent Calendar by affirmative vote.

– Agenda Item #1: Minutes of regular meeting held March 7, 2017.

– Agenda Item #2: Approve and authorize the city manager to execute Revision No. 2, Exhibit B, to Contract No. 10-DSR-12165 between the City of Needles and Western Area Power Administration to provide for operation, maintenance, replacement and financial responsibilities at the Nora McDowell switchyard.

Members of the Needles Board of Public Utilities unanimously voted to approve agenda items #1 and #2 on the Consent Calendar.

**** Regular Items: ****

– Agenda Item #3:

** Video from ZachNews on YouTube: **

Approve the project budget for Firehouse Substation beginning with phase 1 – entitlements and permits (located east of Needles Highway at the I-40 On-Ramp).

Members of the Needles Board of Public Utilities unanimously voted to approve agenda item #3, adding that the budget figures for this project will come in lower.

– Agenda Item #3(A):

** Video from ZachNews on YouTube: **

Approve the project budget for Cure Farms Substation beginning with phase 1 – entitlements and permits (located east of East Broadway at Ice Plant Road).

Members of the Needles Board of Public Utilities unanimously voted to approve agenda item #3(A), adding that the budget figures for this project will come in lower.

– Agenda Item #4:

** Video from ZachNews on YouTube: **

Report on meeting with Western Area Power Administration regarding 230kV line financing and request for power allocation increase.

Agenda Item #4 was information only and no votes was taken by members of the Needles Board of Public Utilities.

– Agenda Item #7: Delinquency amounts as of January 31 and February 28, 2017.

– Agenda Item #8: EUSI, LLC operational support services relating to the wastewater treatment facility and collection system February 2017.

Agenda Items #5-#8 was information only and no votes was taken by members of the Needles Board of Public Utilities.

**** City Manager’s Report: ****

** Video from ZachNews on YouTube: **

During City Manager’s Report, Needles City Manager Rick Daniels talked about a variety of topics, including:

Regarding the issues with delinquencies, Needles City Manager Rick Daniels said, “There are no medical marijuana businesses that are in delinquency on their utility payments. Let me say that again, there are no medical marijuana facilities that are delinquency on their utilities.”

Needles City Manager Rick Daniels then talked about the process and policy going on for medical marijuana cultivation facilities signing up for new accounts for utilities, including explaining what happens to the deposits well as a customer.

Needles City Manager Rick Daniels then talked about theft related to utility meters, and discuss what happens criminally if somebody does this as well as what the City may do regarding meter replacement; doing them annually.

Needles City Manager Rick Daniels then talked about the Western Area Power Administration Newsletter and the City of Needles being talked about in the newsletter regarding the role of power provider that they play in the City’s economic development strategy and how development can not occur without aggregate power.

**** Board Requests: ****

** Video from ZachNews on YouTube: **

During Board Requests, a question was raised by Needles Board of Public Utilities Member Terry Campbell regarding the new Bill Yoney Substation and when will the substation gonna be energized. Jack Lindley, Electric Line Crew Supervisor with the City of Needles, said that they’re waiting for 2 parts to be deliver – either this week or next week, and when they arrive, then the substation can be energized. A ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Bill Yoney Substation is being discuss.

Needles City Manager Rick Daniels spoke during Board Requests bringing up 2 projects that are underway and will overlap; the Interstate 40/ Arizona Highway 95 Connector and the Bill Yoney Substation to Spikes Road Inter-Tie projects.

**** You can view the full agenda at the following City of Needles website addresses: ****